The accident happened last year but Sam has now released video of the incident which shows him being winched to safety.

Sam, of Penryn, Cornwall, a self-confessed adrenaline junkie, said it was a miracle he survived relatively unscathed.

Miracle Survival: Sam described the experience as 'apocalyptic' and felt he had a miraculous escape (Photo: SWNS)

He said: "If we had done even the smallest thing differently on that day, we may not be here now.

"The US Coastguard said afterwards that ours was the most dangerous rescue they had ever carried out.

"The whole experience has had a profound effect on me and I am a lot more resilient and positive for it."

Looking back on the ill-fated attempt to row from California to Hawaii as part of the Great Pacific Race in June 2014, Sam said that although he was left bitterly disappointed about failing to complete the challenge, he was proud of his and his crewmates' actions.

The passionate surfer is now using his experience to help others as part of his new job with insurers Cornish Mutual.

wave Rider: Sam survived relatively unscathed after his ordeal and considers himself very lucky (Photo: SWNS)

He said: "I have first-hand experience of knowing what risk can lead to and I can bring this to my job.

"Tragedy always hits when you don't expect it to - no matter how much planning you put in beforehand.

"After everything that I've been through, I feel like the luckiest person in the world."